3-day tour from Marrakech to Fes across the Sahara

Tour itinerary

Day 1

Marrakech > the Atlas > Aït Ben Haddou Kasbah > Ouarzazate > Dades Valley:

The 3-day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes begins with a beautiful drive through the High Atlas mountains, crossing the famous Tizi n’Tichka pass. At the wheel is one of our local drivers, who takes this road every week and knows which spots are worth stopping for. Along the way, we stop in small Berber villages where you can experience local life and enjoy breathtaking mountain views.

One of the highlights of the day is the visit to Ait Benhaddou, a magnificent kasbah recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site. This historic site has been used as a backdrop in many famous films. After exploring the kasbah, we head towards the Dades Valley, often called the “Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs”.

Along the road, we pass El Kelaa M’Gouna, a pretty town in the Valley of Roses, known for its rose fields and its annual Rose Festival. If you travel in April or May, we stop at a local rosewater factory to see how rose products are made.
We then continue to the Dades Valley, where you spend the night in a welcoming hotel and enjoy a delicious traditional Moroccan dinner.

Day 2

Dades Valley > Todra > Erfoud > Merzouga > Erg Chebbi desert:

After breakfast on the second day of our desert tour from Marrakech to Fes, we continue driving through the beautiful Dades Valley, following winding roads that lead to the oasis town of Tinghir. On arrival, you can take a guided walk through the green oasis, where palm trees stretch into the distance and small water channels run gently between the fields.

With the help of a local guide, you explore the natural beauty of the area and learn about the rich past of Tinghir, including its Jewish heritage, still visible in the ancient Kasbah of Tinghir.
After the walk, we head to the impressive Todra Gorge, where huge cliffs surround a narrow green valley. You will have time for a relaxed walk through the gorge, admiring the high rock walls and enjoying the clear waters of the Todra river. It is an ideal place for photos and for soaking up the peaceful scenery.

In the afternoon we reach Merzouga, the gateway to the Sahara desert. There you begin a camel ride among the golden sand dunes of Erg Chebbi. As the sun begins to set, you ride your camel across the desert, watching the sky turn from golden yellow to deep orange.
Once you reach the desert camp — our own Camel Trips Camp, out among the Erg Chebbi dunes — you are welcomed with a traditional Moroccan dinner. Later you gather around the fire to listen to live Berber music under a sky full of stars: an unforgettable night in the heart of the Sahara.

Day 3

Merzouga > Ziz Valley > Midelt > Azrou > Ifrane > Fes:

Wake up early to admire the incredible sunrise over the Sahara dunes, an unforgettable moment. Then enjoy a hearty breakfast at the desert camp.
Once breakfast is over, we begin our journey back to Fes. Along the way we cross the beautiful Ziz Valley, known for its high cliffs and endless palm trees. It is an ideal place to stop for photos as you travel through its peaceful landscapes.

Our first main stop is Midelt, a small town between the Middle and High Atlas mountains. Here you will have time to relax and have lunch at the local restaurant we have used for years: tagine, grilled meat (BBQ) and mint tea, served with a view of the mountains.
We then pass through the Berber town of Azrou, famous for its cedar forests and wildlife. In the forest we stop to see the friendly Barbary macaques, a fun moment for children and adults alike.

After spending time with the monkeys, we continue to Ifrane, often called “the Switzerland of Morocco” for its European-style houses and cool climate. Here we stop for a short break to stretch our legs and perhaps have a coffee in a local café. Ifrane is clean, quiet and full of green parks: a pleasant change from the desert.
Leaving the Middle Atlas behind, the landscape slowly turns into gentle hills. We continue driving and reach Fes in the late afternoon. We drop you off at your hotel, bringing your unforgettable 3-day desert trip from Marrakech to Fes to a close.